Advocacy and Lobbying

The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC) was established in 1929 as an organisation of employers dealing with labour and social issues in Sri Lanka. It is today the principal organisation of employers, often going beyond the immediate concerns of its members and promoting employer interests at national level, especially focusing on industrial relations and labour law.

The EFC has been from its inception recognised as the Voice of Business playing the National role of employers in Sri Lanka. The regional and sectoral associations are taken into the policy agenda of the EFC in its National role.

The National role played by the EFC consists of;

Influencing the policy and legal environment to ensure they are conducive to business growth and its development. Among other things, this involves influencing the Government on employment and labour related policies and the reduction of costs and barriers to business and development and employment creation.

Promoting the views of employers / business in the wider community and providing leadership on issues that are of national importance.

Promoting the efficient functioning of labour markets through policy and reforms.

Negotiating and bargaining with trade unions.

Representing employers in tripartite consultations, negotiations as well as on national steering committees.

Engaging with the business community, policy institutes, academic institutes and community etc. during crisis situations.

The EFC represents the employers at the National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC) of Sri Lanka which is considered a national platform for social dialogue to discuss matters in relation to employment and labour laws. The EFC is credited with leading the Tripartite Social Dialogue to address labour market challenges over the decades.

The EFC’s membership in the International Organisation of Employers (IOE) based in Geneva and the recognition given by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) as the employer constituent of Sri Lanka to represent and lobby for the employers in the international forums has given the organisation exposure and recognition in a global context. The EFC is also a member of the Confederation of Asia-Pacific Employers (CAPE) and the South Asian Forum of Employers (SAFE) and also has developed relationships with all regional employers’ organizations establishing a strong network to effectively discharge its role in lobbying and advocacy in the international arena.

Keeping in line with its Vision and Mission, the EFC has lobbied and presented submissions on various matters in the spheres of industrial relations and labour law throughout the years. Some representations made to the authorities for their consideration are:

Spread over of working hours on five days of the week.

Removal of restrictions on night work for female employees in the Shop and Office Employees’ Act No.19 of 1954.

Shop and Office Employees’ Act No. 19 of 1954 – The number of hours to qualify for the paid weekly holiday to be amended to 45 hours instead of 28 hours.

Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children Act no. 47 of 1956 – The periodical requirement to obtain consent for night work to be a one-off requirement.

Payment of Gratuity Act No. 12 of 1983 – To amend the interpretation of the term ‘Year’ to include a minimum of 180 working days.

Termination of Employment of Workmen (Special Provisions) Act No. 45 of 1971–

To terminate the employment of workers on non-disciplinary grounds by paying the stipulated compensation without the requirement of the approval of the Commissioner General of Labour.

Where an employer is unable for financial reasons to pay the aforesaid compensation, seek permission from the Commissioner General of Labour under the Act to terminate services giving due consideration to the financial standing of the Employer.

Introduce lay off procedure for reasons beyond the control of the employer such as lack of raw material, breakdown of machinery etc.

Proposal to introduce a new Workplace Relations Act – To create a proper framework to regulate workplace relations encompassing rights of employees to freely associate and collectively bargain and also safeguard the right of employers to ensure smooth operations in enterprises with speedy resolution of disputes at workplaces.

During COVID-19 pandemic, as the National Employers’ Organisation, the EFC has worked closely with our social partners, including Trade Unions, in order to support the efforts of businesses to overcome the challenges posed by this crisis and obtain relief for employers by way of a tripartite agreement to pay salaries on a pro-rated basis. Details of such initiatives have been shared periodically with the membership through EFC Circulars.

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Advocacy and Lobbying

Advocacy and Lobbying